Monday, June 13, 2011

The Body of Christ

On Sundays, the single phrase that I say the most is, "The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven." It is quite an honor to distribute the bread which is given for the life of the world.

But there is always a theological wrestling match going on in my head when I say those words. When I talk about heaven, what do I mean? Am I describing a place with puffy clouds and angels and harps and pearly gates?

If so, then I would rather not use that phrase when distributing communion because I don't believe in a place with puffy clouds and angels and harps and pearly gates.

I believe in a life, a life that is complete and full with God that can only be described as heavenly. This is a life that is completely dependent on God and can only come from Christ's everlasting love for us. Here in this earthly existence, we see glimpses of heaven all the time.

And communion is one of those intersections between heaven and earth. We are eating the bread of heaven right here, on earth! We don't have to wait until we die to eat the heavenly bread, it is freely offered right now. At the sound of the last trumpet, in a twinkling of an eye, don't be surprised when we find that heaven is on earth.
Because heaven has been on earth for ages.

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven...The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven...The Body of Christ the bread of heaven.......